Removable spindle rewind mechanism



June 7, `1960 A. BARsAM, JR 2,939,643

REMOVABLE SPINDLE REwIND MECHANISM Filed oct. 17, 1955 Har/wle ARSAMJe.-

`were employed on the smalle'sizea This invention relates tord'evices, generally rcalled rew1nd s, forw1ndin`g motion picture- 111m, "sound, track nlm and tapes, and other ribbonlike fmaterials'from one reel to another, and Ymore particularlyk to a rewindhaving a lock and releasejmechanismbyjmeans of which the spindle supporting the reel 'is easilyremoved and replacedy by a substitute spindle of different length. 7

Hand operated iilmrewinds have been constructed in Unid4 States PatflfO means requiring vonlyfthatrth'e spindle be bottom'edvin the same general manner since the'early days of silent Y films. -A typical rewind consists of an upright frame in which a large and a smallspur gear are journalled, Vthe large gear being ixedly attachedtoa hand crank shaft and the small gear attached to al shaft extending outwardly from the framefon the side opposite 'the vhand crank. VThe shaft terminates in a spindle portion having `a driving key enterablefin a slot in the hub of a reel and a rounded tipportionpivoted to swing laterallytoa positionrradially disposed tothe spindleaxis,y thereby locking the reel onthe spindle and in locked engagement with the driving key thereoftf" 1 Rewinds for Y1 6 mm.' and8 lm have been'small sized counterparts of the standard-3 5 mm. film rewinds, but since the spindles of rewinds havelus'ually beenl assembledrinxed at-tachment'within their bearings, it has been necessary to have separate'rewinds'for each width of The spindle diameter was the lone structural feature which remained the samein rewinds of allV sizes, a1-

though driving key' means kofidifferent "conformations Since the advent of sound iilm, editors4 and laboratory technicians have used re'winds with spindle longjenough to accommodate two or`more reels'so thatthe'sound track andthe picture lms may b'e'j'uxtaposed on one spindle and handled simultaneously and in matching'lineal synchronization. Obviously, rewinds having` longerfspindles have been required for this 'purpose yAnd now the so-call'ed widescreen film, with'frames morthan twice as wide as high,fserves vltofurther complicate the rewind f problem for the laboratory technician andthe cutten and also requires modification VVof 'the hand and motor driven lm handling equipment in'theatres -exhibiting the wide From the foregoing the needffor a film rewinding device adapted to receivegand drive'spindles `of k various lengths andhaving'various driving'key means can readily be seen, and with, this in rnind the, present invention has thefollowingimportant'objects:

A major Yobjectief this invention isthe provision of a lmwindingdevice having aspindle driving mechanisrn adaptedjoreceive a :spindle of any predetermined length and lock 'itsec'urely in the driving position.

Another important object ofQthis invention ,is the pro- Vvisionof a film windingdevice havingY a spindle driving mechanism, as previously described, and adapted further to releas'erthe spindle from locked engagement,in response to a ',single` simplemanual movementof the operator without the use pf special wrenches orrtools.,

A further important ebiectfef wie -invention'is the bolted to a `suitable work surface.

extended on both sidesY atrthe intermediate Vertical points the center bore of the drive shaft and theshat rotated slightly to assure the Ylocked vpositioning, of thespindle therein. 1. 7 'l Another object of the present inventionis the' provision of arspindle driving mechanism having the features `previously described and also being adapted with means to force the spindle outwardly ofthedriveshaftl bore when the locking means are released.

In brief, myv invention "includes a generally conventional rewind having ya hollow driyeshaftadapted to receive the shank end of a 'spindle Aand 'having spring tensioned latch members appurtenant to ythe shaft adapted `to -hold the spindle shank inrrotativel as wellfas coaxial longitudinal engagement. `A spindle isV released from locked engagement Within the 'shaftby a quarter Vturn `jof a knurled knobdisposed at the endof the shaftadjacent the winding crank. This mechanism makes possible the quick andtconvenient change from one spindle to ianother of any predetermined .length and having the proper keying means for driving the reel to Ibe handled.

Other distinguishing featuresand important objects orf this inventionwill become apparent in the' following description of one` preferred embodiment thereof and will, `be seen in the accompanying drawings in which:v

` in operating position therein;

Figure 3 is a view similar :to Figure inwhi'chr'only `the hollow shaft is shown in axial section,` andithe movable parts of the assembly Yare shownin the unlocked or releasing position; l

' Figure 4 is a' View 'showing a .throughsection ofthe shaft assembly taken in the direction and at'the point indicated by arrows 4 in Figure 2, revealing the manner in which theY cam end ofthe release pin engages the latch members; and

Figure "5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing a Vthrough section of the shaft assembly at the point and in the direction indicated byrarrows 5 in Figure 2, and. shows thelatch members entered in the driving position in longitudinal groovesV in the spindleunde'r tensional urge of a circular coil spring. t

Referring again to Figure l which shows the general structure of a conventional film or tape winding device, the numeral 10 designatessthe combined, housing. and supporting frame of atypical rewind having basal flanged sectionsas shown at 11 with bores 12 by which it is The housing 10 .is

' v'13a and '14 to provide support for journalmembers o f Athe crankshaft 15, and similarly near the top 16vat opposite points 17 and 18 to support the journalmembers 19 and 20 of the tubular body ofthe drive shaft 21 Although many rewinds similar to thetypicaldevice shownin Figurel are motor driven, the Vparticular{uit shown 'in the drawing is intended for manual operation being provided with a rotatable crank arm 421a having an outwardly. vextended handle 22 at one'end andan enlarged section 23.at the other end of'suicient weight to 4crninterbalance the handle 22. The crank arm 21a is pin fastenedoatzl to the crank shaft 15 to which a large spur gear, partially seen atr 25, is xedly attached. A'

of ,the drive shaft mechanism,` lthe spindle member can be considered a part of this invention. For descriptive clarity it is best described as including, in additionto the reel supporting 1spindle portion 27, a shank portion 28, a'spacing collar 29, and a driving key 30. The driving Ky .30 shown in this particular embodiment is the type 'customarily used to drive conventional 35 mm. reels and consists of anV L-Shaped section of round rod, the short portion thereof being entered in a bore, 31 in Figure 2, inthe spindle and the long portion being entered in a keyway 32 in the collar V29the latter, in turn, being secured to the spindle 27 by means of a set screw 33.

As 'previously mentioned, 'keys of different conformations are customarily usedto drive reels for other sizes of film and tapes, and the present invention is completely amenable to any necessary modification in that respect and is not to be limited in scope to the type shown herein or the use indicated thereby.

Regardless .of the keying method used on the spindle portion 27, the shank portion 28 has .the same general .JmatiOn, being a straight longitudinal extension of the thereof. Two longitudinal slots, 36 and 37 in Figures 2, 3, land f5, are disposed inwardly of the VSpindle shank 28 ,from vfdiametrically opposite positions on the periphery thereof adjacent the transverse end face 34. These slots are clearly shown in longitudinal section in Figure 2, inthe plan view of the shank 28 in Figure 3, and in the cross section taken along line 5 of Figure 2 as Shown in Figure 5.

vDetails of the hollow drive shaft assembly .are best seenY in Figure 2. The main body portion of the shaft is generally tubular in form having journal sections 19 and 2t) disposed at opposite ends thereof, a central section of increased diameter intermediate of the journal sections and a smaller intermediate section of greatest diameter provided with gear teeth 38 comprising the pinion .gear 26 which engages the, driving gear 25. A 1n the central section of increased diameter are two aligned diametrieally opposite longitudinal slots 39 and 4t)y disposed through opposite sides of the tubular side wall in which latch members 41 and 42 are pivoted on pins 43 and 44 so that they rotate in the same axiodiametric plane relative to the axis of the shaft. The latch members 41 and 42 lhave two inwardly disposed projections la'djacentthe ends thereof lspaced from the pivots 43 and 44, the inner edges of the latch'members being slanted outwardly as shown at 45 and 46 to the outermost point of the rst-of the projections 47 and 48, and being indented as at 49 and'Stl between the first projections 47 and 48 and the second projections 51 and l52.

The latch members are dimensioned and pivoted so that when their outer edges are -flush with the outer periphery of the central shaft section, their two projections extend inwardly of the central bore as shown in Figure 2. Acoil spring 54, the ends of which are attached to form a continuous loop, is positioned in a circumferential groove 53 disposed in both the outer periphery of the Ashaft body and in the outer edges of the latch members, and serves to hold the latch members 41 and 42 within the slots 39 and 40.

Avrelease pin 55, to which a knurled knob 56 is xedly attached by a set screw S7, is entered into the bore of the tubular shaft from the -end opposite the spindle 27 and heldV .therein by an oli-center pin58 positioned in through bores inthe tubular wall of the shaft so as to indie -bOdy 27 andv terminatedinma fiat transverse .Y tace34having` a bevel 35 around the circumferential edge engage a circumferential groove 59 in the release pin 55. The inner termination Y60 of vthe locking pin 55 is reduced from the generally cylindrical form of the pin to :an ovaloid conformation, as best seen in the crosssectional view of Figure 4, which is positioned between the projections 51 and S2 of the latch members 41 and 42. j

A plunger member 6.1` ispbsitionbd within an. axial bore in the release pin 55 and pressed 'inwardly thereof by a compression spring ;62 -which `is heldu'within the bore by a set screw 63., The inner end 54 of the plunger 61 extends through the ovaloid end 60 of theY release pin as seen in Figures 2, 3, and 4.

The operation of theirewindspindle lock and release mechanism of my invention is simple .and eicient. The shank portion 28 of the spindle 27 is entered into the bore of the tubular drive shaft 21. The beveled edge 35 of the end face 34engages the slanted jedges 45and 46 0f the latch members. .41.;a1id 42 which, under tension of the coil spring 54, are normallyndisposed within the bore of the shaft. As the'spind-le shank 28 is pressed inwardly, the latch, members move outwardly of the slots 39 and 40 u ntil the end face 34 of the `shanlsi virbottomed in the vbore against the inner face 60 of the release pin 55.V Rotation ofV the'spindle a half turn or less brings theA ,Slots and; $7 in the bank in diametric alignment with slots 322111440 i. es ttwall Ypeunittiris the @055241911547 @14443. 0f1..elateh .members 41,. and 42 to nuove inwardly into the-Slots and 37 inthe shank 28, thereby sesurligthe Shank ami-spindle@ rotative as well as 'co-axial longitudinal engagement,l

Release of the spindlewmernber .is alsequiekly accomplished. Rotation of the knurledknpb 5o a'quarter turn likewise rotatesv the release pin `55 so `that the Vgreatest width of its ovaloid end 60 is disposed between the pro'- jections 51 and 52 of Ythe latch` members 41 and 42, thereby pressing them outwardlyof therslots 39 and 40 to the position shown in Figure 3 wherein theprojections 47 and 48 are completely disengaged from the Vslots 36 and 37. At this point-of disengagementihe plunger member 61, urged inwardly by spring 62,presses Vagainst the face 34 of the shank 28 and moves the shank, outwardly of the bore" until thebevel 35 of the shankend face 34 is positioned outwardly of the Vprojections 47 and 48. At this point, continued rotation i of the Zknob 56 VVbrings. the smallest width of thetoyalqidend t5!) between the projections 51 andv 52. ofthe latch; mb,er.s,;.ftbereby permitting the. latter, t0 more together.; .der theursefot .thespring 54- AS the; latch, members .more inwardlntheir slanted edges 45 and 46 engagethe beveled edge 35 ofthe shank end 34,'thereby adding .additional force -to4 the outward movement of the shankrZS.`

In order to complywith the statute,thisinventionhas been described inrconsiderable detail in the fdresoins specification and shown in thedrawings in a specific embodiment including mam/. definite details oferransement and rconstruction. But it is to be understood that these details have been supplied only for the purpose of illustrating one typical form of this invention, that they are subject to various changes and modifications, and that the invention, therefore, is to .be limitedin scope only as indicated bythe extent of the following claims. Y

l. A spindle driving mechanismpfor Supportingv and Vrotating a film reelicomprising; a spindle vhaving key means adapted to engage a Yfilm reel V,mounted thereon, and having an` extended shank portonrwith notches'in the periphery thereof; a generally tubular drive Vshaft having a central borefadapted to receive said spindle shank and havinga section providedwithvmeans engageable with a power source; latch means carried by said drive shaft-engageable with said notches .in said spindle shank for ylocking saidspindle in said drive shaft bore in longitudinal and rotativeengagement; and means for dis- .engagirlig said latch means `freni said spindle.

Imm.

@12.1 "A spindle driving mechanism comprising: a spindle having* key Ymeans adapted to l engage a' hubA mounted thereon, and having an extended shank "prtidn with notches in the periphery thereoa generally tubular drive shaft having a central bore adapted to receive said spindle shank and having a peripheral section of increased diameter provided with, means engageable with a power source; `latch means carried by said drive shaftV engageable. with said notches in said spindle shank for locking said spindle in said `drive shaft bore infirm longitudinal and rotative engagement; meansV for vreleasing ysaid flatch means to p ermitremoval of `said spindle from saiddrive shaft; and

means; effective to force said spindle outwardly ofV said bore upon release of said latch means, said spindle being dimensioned to receive a predetermined plurality of hubs thereon. j

3. A spindle driving mechanism comprising: a plurality of spindle members, each having key means adapted to engage'iilm reels mounted thereon, and having an extended shank portion with notches in the periphery thereo'f; a generally tubular drive shaft having a central bore adapted to receive the shank of one of said spindles and having a peripheral section of increased diameter provided with gear teeth engageable with a power supply; latch means engageable with said notches in said spindle shank for locking any one of* said spindles in said drive' shaft bore in firm longitudinal and rotative engagement;

means for releasing said latch means to permit removal of the spindlefrom said drive shaft; andY means `effective to force said spindle outwardly of said bore upon release of said latch means. n

4. A spindle driving mechanism comprising: a plurality of spindle members, each having key meansv adapted to engage film reels mounted thereon, and having an extended shank portion with notches in the periphery thereof; a generally tubular drive shaft having a central bore adapted to receive the shank of one of said spindles and having a peripheral section of increased diameter provided with gear teeth engageable with a power supply;

u latch means engageable with said notches in said spindle shank for locking any one of said spindles in said drive ibers pivotedrtherein urges them?inwardly'jY cause 'engagementv of said projections with said notches;

7. The invention in accordance with claim 6 inz'which Athe vmeans for releasing saidlatch 'meansto'permit reovaloid conformation disposed between the movable ends of said latch members, and terminated 'outwardly in 'a knurled section of increased diameter, said -release pin having an axial bore therethrough.

- 8. The inventioninjaccordance Withclaim 7 inwhich the means effective to force said spindle :outwardly of said bore comprise: aplu'nger member disposed Ywithin said axial bore 4in said release pin, the inward end thereof extending through said ovaloid end section of said release pin; a set screw threaded into the aperture of said axial bore at the knob end thereof; and spring means conned between said set screw and the outer end of said plunger urging saidY plunger inwardly of said bore. 9. A rewind device Yfor film and tape comprising: a body portion defining a base and upright frame having integral journal means to receive and support a crank shaft and a drive shaft; a crank shaft journalled in said frame and having a spur gear and a crank arm ixedly attached thereto, said aim having a crank handle for manual rotation thereof; a generally tubular drive shaft journalled adjacent the top of said body frame, having peripheral shaft bore in firm longitudinal and rotative engagement;

means for releasing said latch means to permit removal, of the spindle from said drive shaft; and meanseffective to' force said spindle outwardly of said boreupon release of said latch means, said spindles being variously dimensioned in length to receive different pluralities of reels and reels of different sizes.

5. In a reel device for winding film andtape from oneVv reel to another, a drive shaft assembly and a reel supporting spindle removably engageable therein, comprising:v a s solid spindle having a longitudinally-*extended shank por-` removal of said spindle from said drive shaft; and spring pressed means effective to fo'rce said spindle outwardly of said bore upon release of said latch means.

6. 'Ihe invention in accordance with claim 5 in which the latch means Ifor locking said-spindle shank in said drive shaft bore comprise: a 4pair of latch members pivotally mounted n diametrically opposite longitudinal slots in the side wall of said tubular drive shaft, said latch members having inwardly directed .projections thereon which extend into the bore of said drive shaft when said latch members are pivoted inwardly, said projections being adapted to engage said longitudinal notches in said spindle shank; and a spring means positioned around said gear teeth engaging those of said spur gear, and having an axial bore dimensioned to receive a reel supporting spindle; a spindle mem-ber having an extended shank portion with opposite notches in the periphery thereof, said spindle being dimensioned to support a reel for lm and Y tape of any predetermined size; latch members disposed in said drive shaft and adapted to engage said notches in said spindle shank; means carried by said drive shaft for releasing said'latch members for removal of said spindle from said bore; and means effective to force said spindle outwardly of said bore upon release of said latch means. g

10. A rewind device `for film and tape comprising: a

' body portion defining a base and upright frame havingy integral journal means to receive and support a crank shaft and a drive shaft; a crank shaft journalled in said frame and drivingly connected to a drive shaft journalled adjacent the top of said body frame, and having an axial bore dimensioned to receive a reel supporting spindle; a spindle member having an extended shank portion diametrically opposite notches inthe periphery thereof, said spindle being dimensioned -to support a predetermined plurality of reels for iilm and tape of any predetermined size; latch members Vdisposed in said drive shaft and t adapted to engage said notches in said spindle shank; means for releasing said latch members for removal of said spindle from said bore; and resilient means to force said spindle outwardly of said bore upon release of said latch means.

1l. The invention in accordancewith claim 10 in which the latch means for locking said spindle shank in said drive shaft bore comprise: a pair of latch members pivotally mounted in diametrically opposite slots in the side wall of said tubular drive shaft, said latch members having inward projections therefrom normally disposed within the bore of said drive shaft, said projections being enterablein said longitudinal notches in said spindle shank; and spring means .positioned around said drive shaft over said slots and said latch members pivoted therein, said spring means being Vadapted to hold said latch members with the projections thereof disposed inwardly of said bore.

l2. The invention in accordance -with clarn 10 in which the means for releasingv said latch means vto Ypermit removal of the spindle from the drive shaft comprise: a bolt-like release pin rotatably secured within said drive shaft bore and terminated inwardly in an end section of drive shaft over said slots which engages said latch memovaloid conformation disposed between the movable ends -7 of V-saidrlateh members@ vandterxninatm.outwardly in a handle setiqn, saidrelease pin having :anaxial bore therethrough.- v

I3. In aspindle drivingmechanism having a spindle with key means adapted to engage a hub mounted thereon, 5

and a drive shaft for supporting and driving said spindle having a section with means enga/geahle Vwith ya power source,` an Aimproved coupling vvmeans folrrlockjngmsaid spindle and saidv drive shaft together in nn longitudinal and rotational engagement,- coxnprising: a shank portion with notches in the periphery thereof; a shaft portion having .a bore adapted treceive said shank; latch means carried' by said shaft portion and engageable with said notches in said shank; means for releasing said latch means References Cited in the le ofithis inatent 'Y Y UNTED STATES ARATE,NTS

735,429 v v Waters- Aug. `4,1903 748,527 Peterson Dec. V29, 1903 901,590 Butlin Oct.-'20, 1908 1,118,456` Nilkin-- N0v.-24, 1914 2,392,966 Baia 'Jan." 15, 1946 2,615,643- Barsamt O'ct.\-28,*1952 Dunkelberger Feb.` 14I 1956 

